Costilla Dam, located in Taos, New Mexico, along the Rio Costilla, is a privately-owned structure with a primary purpose of irrigation. Built in 1920 by the USBR, this earth dam stands at a height of 137.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 30,499 acre-feet. The dam has a surface area of 416 acres and serves a drainage area of 55 square miles.

Despite being regulated by the Office of the State Engineer and undergoing regular inspections, Costilla Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential with a fair condition assessment. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 35 feet, and it has a maximum discharge of 20,200 cubic feet per second. With a risk assessment rating of moderate, there is a need for ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of this essential water resource infrastructure for the surrounding community and environment.